State Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Shaikh Waqas Akram on Friday severely criticised Interior Minister Rehman Malik for lying to the federal cabinet about the liberty given to banned outfits to hold public meetings across the country, especially in the federal capital, in the name of “Pakistan Defence Council”. Speaking on a point of order, the minister who himself was reportedly on the hit-list of banned group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, now active under a new name of Tanzeem Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, said lies by the interior minister in a cabinet meeting were a “shameful act”. “Though I am a minister, I want to register my protest in the House that the interior minister lied to me and the federal cabinet,” Akram said, adding that Malik had also told the cabinet that the provincial governments were violating the law by allowing banned outfits to hold public rallies and meetings.
He said the interior minister had also claimed that he would write a letter to provincial governments to get hold of these elements and a copy of the said letter had also been provided to him. “But I was stunned to read in the newspapers that the same outfits are holding a public meeting today in the federal capital. Now if the interior minister cannot stop the terrorists, why does he accuse the Punjab government? This is all shameful and it proves that talking about fighting war on terror is a drama. A government that can’t stop trivial terrorists cannot fight the war on terror,” the minister said.
Lashing out at the banned outfits, Akram said the banned militants fell under the fourth schedule and under law such persons could not go to any public place, let alone lead a public rally.
“Under the 1997 Act, anyone who even carries a flag of a banned outfit is to be arrested. What to talk about taking out rallies. I had pointed out during the recent cabinet meeting that banned outfits were being allowed to hold meetings but the law minister had assured to write to provincial governments for prompt action,” he added. Akram was well supported by PML-N MNA Sahibzada Fazal Karim who asked the government where its writ was, as it was being challenged by terrorists. He said people falling under the fourth schedule were making a mockery of the government’s rule.
“Sunni Ittehad was not allowed to hold a public meeting in Lahore but those who had killed around 40,000 Pakistanis were allowed to hold meeting in the city. If no action is taken against these outlaws, I fear there would be no writ of the government,” he added. He said the government should not allow the banned outfits to operate under new names.
Reacting to the point made by both the lawmakers, the interior minister smartly pushed the ball back to the lawmakers, claiming that the government’s bill was pending with the Senate standing committee for law and justice for the past two years, but it had not been passed.
“If these terrorists are arrested, they are released by courts due to the lacunae in the law. How can I ask police to nab these people as law enforcers get strength from laws,” he said, adding that he had been told by the members of the Senate committee that the government’s law carried offensive provisions and if passed, the same could be misused against politicians.
“I have told them that if they think those amendments are inappropriate, they should pass it for only three years’ time. Begum Nasim Chaudhry (the chairperson of national assembly standing committee on law and justice) has also volunteered her services and asked me to bring the bill to the national assembly and her committee was ready to assist,” he added.
Calling for a stern action against banned outfits, Malik said the House should form a committee to propose a way forward for legislation in this regard, as this would also send a strong message to the provincial government to move against such culprits.
Referring to the argument by Akram, the interior minister said he had no knowledge about the public meeting in the federal capital and he would investigate the matter.
“This is only a news item. Let me verify it. If these outfits hold public meetings in the capital, I will take action. The banned outfits hold public meetings and collect funds under new names. I will investigate the matter and submit a report in the next session,” he assured.
Former religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi said terrorists were arrested on a daily basis, but were released by courts as judges were threatened by these elements.
Waqas slams Malik for misleading cabinet on banned organisations
